Wednesday, July 24, 2013

J.Crew Updates Website with New Arrivals!

"Thanks!" to many of you, who let us know that J.Crew had an update to its website (click here to view online).

There are some new arrivals for men(click here) & women (click here). {wahoo!} It looks like Crewcuts (click here) has been updated, but not the J.Crew Collection (click here).

The latest August catalog (click here to view) is not yet available to view. Although it is already being sent out to customers in the mail (and available in many brick & mortar stores).

Fall is my favorite season when it comes to offerings at J.Crew. Initial impression is that some of the items are slight variations from offerings in the past. With that said, I am excited about the new Schoolboy Blazer coming in a longer silhouette. It appears to have more of a Hacking Jacket length which I appreciate. J.Crew has also issued a few versions of the peter pan collar cotton top. With that said, I really like the new Tipped Silk Collar Top (item 04691; $75.00).

J.Crew is also offering customers to take an additional 40% off all sale items (no min) with promo code STYLE40. Yey! This code expires August 4, 2013. Plus, J.Crew is offering free shipping (no min) for all orders placed today, July 24, 2013. This is a great offer we don't get to see too often! Interesting enough, there was a big update today and the merchandise is not moving that quickly. Does that mean we will be seeing lower prices and/ or more promotions?

What items are you most excited
about and why? Which items are you surprised (or not surprised) to
see? Which items did you hope would be included? Were you
expecting a bigger roll-out today? Also, did you receive the
latest catalog? :)

Looks like not everything is up yet, but I spied "Maternity" as one of the categories, with Minnie and Pixie pants! I immediately google J.Crew maternity and got no hits. Did we know they are doing maternity? Hoping there are going to be more items than just the two pants.

It seems that they adjusted all of the instant gratification prices. However, they are still updating the sale/no-sale categorization of pieces. The 40% off code works on both promo and final sale items. I'm glad I waited to pick up the icon trench. It was $198 yesterday and $218 -40% = $130.80 today.

It's great to see the sale offer available for so long (until Aug. 4). I was getting tired of the 2-4 day approach. Although it probably means I am going to be up mornings looking for popbacks.

Without a promo that applies to the new, full-price releases, I'm holding off on purchasing them until my rewards card arrives.

Last night I ordered the navy schoolboy while the instant gratification sale was still on and ended up getting the extra 40%. It came out to a whopping $59.40 so I hope it ships. Today I ordered the monarch pencil in a 6. (Size up it is teenie). It wasn't marked final sale but when it hit my shopping bag it said final sale I am fairly sure it will fit since I ordered it in my usual 4 last week. It zipped but was tight. This skirt must run small as every other pencil in my closet is a 4. I also got the linen island tee which is now $29.99 before promo. Some of the new Tippis are on promo and the style40 applies with no final sale: embroidered flowers, trompe l'oiel and mixed stitch. They end up being $45 after the promo. I ordered the mixed stitch in navy neon fuchsia in a M since most feel it runs a little small. Happy shopping!

There were a ton of older pop backs this morning and since I'm in fall shopping mode I picked up a few pieces, Western Shirt for $36, Liberty popover in Matilda Tulip for $59 (I was admiring this print in the store just yesterday but couldn't bring myself to spend $150 on a shirt). I also picked up some Fall 2012 popbacks, Boy Shirt in Heartthrob for $53 and the Collection Pencil Skirt in Windowpane for $83, looks like a great classic piece, for the original price of $425 it seems way expensive so glad I got it on deep discount. I really like the dual Foulard Shirtdress, debating on waiting for my rewards though which JCrew is super slow on issuing.

I like the new Liberty prints, but I really wish they would stop using them on popovers. I much prefer the button-downs, and would like to have a shirt in the Strawberry Thief floral print, but unfortunately they made it a popover. There are some other promising items though. Nothing I would pay full-price for, but will be keeping an eye out for them to hit promo or sale.

On another note, there are a lot of new promo-priced items & markdowns today. I'm working on the updated list right now and will have it on my blog a little later this morning.

I really like the strawberry thief print, so many colors without being too in-your-face. I actually have a handkerchief in that print framed, along with another one, on my wall in my bedroom--souvenirs from a trip to England and the Liberty department store 2 years ago.

Yes, Strawberry Thief is adorable and is actually quite an old Liberty print! Believe it or not, Land's End of all places did a Liberty collab several years ago, and I bought a button-down from them in this print.

It reads mostly navy, but up close is so much more interesting than just a floral!

Funny, that I actually love the popovers. I have a larger chest, and there are less buttons to gape and cause me issues. :)The popovers are cut more generously too. I love the Strawberry Thief print and am tempted to buy this, but will wait till it hopefully goes on sale or there is a promo code to make it less pricey.

I have been liking the popovers lately too. It seems like they've been making them longer lately, I think that's why I like them better now. I really want that Strawberry Thief popover! Promo, please!!

I'm new to shopping at J Crew..I was hoping to pick up some items online today with the great sale they are having and just wanting some advice. Does anyone know if there is much of a difference between the neon azela and the fuschia? I'm trying to decide which color of the cashemere tippi to pick up and they dont have a picture of the fuschia. Just trying to figure out if I "need" both. Thanks for any insight!

Neon Azalea is usually neon like the name says. Every now and then you might see an item that is a slightly muted version of this color, but usually it is very bright. I prefer the fuchsia too, but I am not personally a fan of neons in general. Neon Azalea is a fun color but it's going to be very bright, sometimes like a pink highlighter.

This is my most favorite belt ever! I have it in black and brown and I have backups of each (because I think one day I'm going to break one, although it turns out I've lost one but I'm hopeful it will re-surface), I love it that much. This is the highest cost-per-wear item in my wardrobe. I love this belt, hope you will too!!!

The bathing suit I want finally popped back in my size... free shipping made me buy it, too. They really need to lower the shipping cost or offer free shipping more often!

New arrivals, meh, lots of the same old stuff, but THANK YOU J.Crew for making more shoes in size 10.5. The Valentinas in particular... Tried that style before but 10 was too small, 11 huge. Looking forward to trying the 10.5.

Re: Strawberry thief popover, once upon a time (in 2007 I think) that print came in a button down. I have seen lots of them on eBay lately.

Hi A - I wouldn't chance FS swim. From what I've read here, it seems like sizing is ALL over the place (tops huge, bottoms small...sometimes the other way around!). They have not been able to nail down any kind of consistency of fit in their swimwear, from what I can tell.

Ooh, thanks for mentioning the tee...Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is one of my favorite perennials! I glossed right over it this a.m. I wonder if they're going to keep producing plant tee's, esp since the Poppy Tee sold so well.

Thanks for this post Alexis! I received the August style guide last night and I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I like. I wasn't bowled over by anything when J.Crew presented at NYFW however I dog-eared several pages in the new guide. I'm particularly in love with the look on p. 63, the Beanstalk Stripe Ruffle Shirt paired with the same pattern skirt and the calf-hair Valentinas in plum. I also love the look of the Aiden Boots. J.Crew always knocks boots out of the park! And I love that they carry extended calf versions of their tall boots. The suiting dresses are killer right now too. Great colors, great fits, great selection of classics with a twist. That is very much appreciated!

My complaints are the same as always: too many crazy patterned pants in awkward lengths for tall people, the cutest patterned skirts are way too short (knee-length a-line, pretty please?), not enough classic non-work wear.

Not really feeling this rollout, but that's ok since I won't be able to transition to Fall clothes for months yet. I would like to pick up the New Schoolboy Jacket later this year; I want to lay it out next to the Classic Schoolboy, Hacking Jacket, and Old-School Lexington Jacket to see how they all differ in measurements (b/c I'm a dork like that). I've been wanting a pair of Chelsea Boots for a while so I'm interested in seeing the J.Crew version in person, though I could probably get them cheaper someplace else.

They sure do like their pattern-mixing, don't they? I think I'm sort of over it at this point, mainly because so few people can pull that trend off well irl and it ends up looking like they got dressed in the dark. But I guess the goal is to get people to buy the entire outfit as seen on page xx of the "Style Guide", so good for them from a marketing standpoint ;-)

While I was trying on the New Schoolboy yesterday, my VPS told me that there is much discussion about New Schoolboy-vs.-Hacking! She said the Hacking is still a couple inches longer and more fitted through the torso, but I don't have exact measurements. The proportions of the Hacking were always wrong for me, but I did love the Lexington.

I received the new Style guide yesterday. First impression....the cover page earrings look like a pre-school kid made them. Blob of clay with stuff glued on them. Not a good way to start....I think this is the worst rollout I can remember. The only look I like is easily duplicated....don't need J. Crew to pair white jeans, a navy jacket and a baseball cap. I like the wool green pencil skirt. Other than that it's all a big"blech" for me.

Loving the suiting dresses. I liked this rollout. Although it doesn't really scream "autumn" to me. I wish beginning price points were a little lower. I wonder if the are doing away with Collection since there were no new pieces and the link is gone off the main page.

Isn't the mixed stitch merino sweater new? I picked that up w/ the promotion this morning. I tried it yesterday at the B&M and thought it was pretty in person. The sweater is very fitted and I sized up. A size small Tippi is baggy on me and the small in this sweater was skin tight.

Overall I am not impressed by the rollout. I though the silk tops I flagged as "maybe" on the preview looked cheap in person. I took about 15 items into the dressing room and left empty handed.

The boy shirt in mixed oxford looks like something I wore in the early 90's. The only item I was interested in is the lace-panel sweatshirt - checked it out in the B&M and the good news: it's longer than last season's eyelet sweatshirt and not as boxy. I'd size up if you wanted to layer it over a button-down, though. The not-so-good news: the "heather natural" color is more yellow than it appears online and not flattering for my skin tone at all. The lace swirls also stick out a bit - this is hard to describe, but maybe if it were ironed/steamed it would help. Not worth FP in my opinion.

Nothing in my B&M was steamed, so everything looked a little sloppy on the hangers with crease marks.

I just got my style guide in the mail. On page 57, they have a spread of Vintage Cotton tees, and the copy reads "Feels like your favorite decades-old tee and should be cared for like it too. Wash cycle? Lingerie. Not gym gear."

So basically they're saying "If you harpies didn't want your $30 tee shirt to develop 10 holes the first time you wash it, you shouldn't treat it like the rags that you sweat in! It's YOUR problem!"

My bra lady insists that the best way to wash a bra is to wear it into the shower (tepid), and to use a very gentle soap, not body wash, rinse without squeezing, pat dry in a towel and dry flat. I have done this exactly once. It was not an edifying experience ("Hon? You all right in there?") and will not be repeated.

I was delighted with my vintage cotton tee purchase until I went to wash it the first time. The care instructions? Machine wash cold (naturally), gentle cycle (understandable), inside out (sure, why not?), separately (is this a prank?).

I reaaaally wish I would have waited on the Nolita denim jacket, it's down to $58 with the sale. I got mine on eBay and paid more. J crew was nice enough to adjust the price on my navy schoolboy ($99 to $82) I can't believe some of you got it for $60, what a steal! Nothing too exciting for me in the new arrivals, I do like the cashmere pointelle sweater but it's way too expensive for me. I must say that I AM excited about the maternity pants!! I saw the Minnie's and pixies in a maternity style. I hope they come out with a whole maternity line! Not that I need it now but when I do, I would be all over it :)

Hey Taylor! i can do a messy Jcrew bun. Just flip your hair into a bun. Wear it to bed a day (or two). Then go on the freeway with the window open. Never touch it with a comb or brush and voila. No muss, no fuss! :)

The French hen tee is navy cotton. Nice weight. I did get the last one in the store. Did not see any other hen items. Will be going to the new outlet mall by O'Hare Airport next month. I expect there will be lots of new items by then.

I somehow lucked out and found a Vibrant Fuchsia wool schoolboy blazer in my size. I have no idea where it came from, I didn't even know it came in that color. But it's my happy color so I had to grab it. At $58 I'm very happy. I hope it ships.

Also love my Nolita jackets and always wished I had a darker one. To get one for $58 and free ship was great! And it wasn't marked final sale, so can return if I don't like it (yay).

Plus a few odds and ends, a pair of shorts, the off-white chambray dot peasant top, a nail polish.

For the first time ever, my insomnia worked in my favor. I was up late, again, and grabbed a few steals before they adjusted the prices. The navy schoolboy for $60, the black Janey flats for $59 (they are back at $172 now) and a pair a matchstick jeans for $35. Not bad at all. :)

I purchased the Biennial medium satchel on last week from 139.99, it's now on sale 159.99, with promo it's netting 95.99, Boo jcrew for no prices adjustment! Hope someone else gets a better deal than I did. Btw, the bag is gorgeous and the leather feels so nice. Best one yet, only wish I had waited longer to make my purchase.

Like Mirna I was up late and scored some deals; love the free shipping.

As far as new arrivals go I definitely find fall/winter my favorite time to buy clothing. It's still hot out but the merino sweaters and wool pants look good. I plan to do some damaged next month in person and with some luck all the fall goodies will be there. Really wanting tweed this fall especially in brown.

OT: When I visited my B&M last Saturday, a sales person mentioned to me of an event happening at their store (downtown SF, for this coming Friday). Maybe to reveal the new August roll-out? I'm not sure if I'll be going...unless they lure me with a full price % off that day. Is your local J.Crew store hosting an event as well?

JSR - I've said this a couple times and I feel lame for doing so because I absolutely have no specific details. But..there's supposed to be some sort of 25% off $150+ promo coming. How it was told to me is that my vps, "is going to be able to offer 25% off $150." No mention of when or any other details. I assume it's a fp promo. Don't know if it's for cardholders, etc.. I get invited to some of the in-store events and usually am unable to attend. I later find out that there was no promo offered during most them. Just brownies and coffee. lol Really, the best source for promo info is this site.

The only promo I've ever seen offered at those "promo events" at my store is 25% off $150, and sometimes it's dependent on if I could bring a few friends that would do the same. Let's just say I've never bothered with that.

Stopped by the Time Warner Center for an impromptu visit, and tried a few things.

I don't like the new Schoolboy. To me, it's now just a blazer, and there are lots of blazers at that length that are in more interesting fabrics, and that fall on the body better. I now find the Schoolboy stiff, and uniform looking. But I know people have varying opinions. I was never a Hacking Jacket person, for instance. Though I sized down to a 0 in the new Schoolboy, I still didn't like it.

Skirts--everything I tried was too short. I'm dreading the beanstalk stripe now, which is coming in the mail and which is 17.5 inches.

The foulard and jacquared skirts are gorgeous, but still. You have to have the body for the shape--regardless of your size--and I don't. The salesgirl pointed out that I could lower the hem by an inch. Even so, I don't know that I would pick up these skirts.

I tried the silk flutter top--I think that's what it is called. Enormous. Any smaller, and because it is not a button up, and I wouldn't be able to get it over my shoulders.

I tried the jeweled Chambray Shirt, which fits like a Boy Shirt. Except, for me, it's even larger than a Boy Shirt. I tried a 0--one size down from the Perfect Shirt. Still enormous. Disappointing as I think it's cute. But it looked awful on me.

One thing I did like, that I haven't seen mentioned yet, is the Collection Pointelle Cashmere pullover. I LOVED the grey and apricot sweater. It doesn't look like much online, but the stitching is lovely and there is a herringbone pattern to the overall sweater itself. I'm always struggling between and XS and S in this sweater, and were I to buy it, I'd need an S. The SA tried to assure me the sweater would sell out in a month. I'll take my chances.

Didn't see the beanstalk shirt--it wasn't in stock yet. Given that the skirt is so short, I'm not sure I'm missing much.

One other thing--I've never been a JCrew bag person. But the new wine color is making me look twice.

I wouldn't mind if this fall didn't have too much for me--I've given JCrew a lot of my money. But I'd be sad if it stopped being the place that I could always count on.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Tippis, but I'm over fall/winter sweaters that are 3/4 sleeve length. It's annoying. My hands are always freezing in winter and the 3/4 sleeve length doesn't help that. Not to mention, it looks awkward putting a long sleeve t-shirt or t-neck underneath. So, my Tippi purchasing days are over.

More new markdowns this morning, ladies! Desert floral racer tank - $99.99, Liberty popover in floral eve - $99.99, and Nolita jacket in white - $89.99 to name a few. You can see the entire list HERE. Enjoy your day everyone! :)

I went into my B&M store yday and turns out this 40% off sale has been going on there for weeks and it was completely picked clean :(. But went online and bought the classic Schoolboy Blazer (old cut)- I'm very excited since I've wanted this jacket for AGES but could never pull the trigger due to price!

Question for you j crew experts - for factory pieces do the tags usually say "J. Crew Factory"? I Ebay'd a hacking jacket for a steal and wasn't sure if it was factory or not (not that it really matters since either way it's a really nice jacket, just curious!)

The factory pieces should have 2 diamonds (??) under the J. Crew on the label. It is hard on Ebay since many sellers don't always state it is factory or show the label. But that is certainly a question I always ask or request the style number. Also, since many of the retail prints are being duplicated in the factory in the next season. It is good to note what the material was in the retail version, usually factory will exchange a silk (retail) to polyester (factory) but the style looks the same. HTH.

Yes, J. Crew factory does have two diamonds under the label. Even the tag is a canvas like material vs. the retail tag which is dark blue with white stitching spelling out 'J. Crew'. The J. Crew label on the factory stuff looks just printed on. Always ask the seller if the said item is factory. I once bought a gingham perfect shirt and didn't know it was factory until I got it a few days later.

On new vs old school boy blazer I checked out the measurements and it looks like the new one is a little less than an inch longer than the old one and has a ticket pocket. I haven't tried the new one on but since I like the way the old one fits and own 2 I'm not tempteted to buy a new one full price. I also think the colors for the new school boy are basic and boring -- I have navy. The only one the might interest me is the grey and only on sale.

Agreed, re: the Schoolboy. I nabbed the one on sale last week for $99 and am very happy with it. In the Aug catalog, they claim that the reason for the new version is because they "listened" to their customers. But who ever complained about the Schoolboy?? It was great the way it was/is in my closet!

Follow up - tried on the new school boy last night just to see. In terms of fit I don't see much difference. It may be a little less boxy but that also limits layering options especially sweaters which is my go to fall look. They did away either the cute lining on the sleeves so is you roll up the skevrs it's just a plain navy, black or gray lining. Also the material seemed lighter and less structured (actually cheaper looking to me). Curious to hear what others think.

Well, just bit on the full price Collection leather mini from the latest rollout. Yes, it's mid July...yes, it's full price... but I put it in my wishlist with the intention of stalking it for a while...and today noticed there are only a few left! Ugh....I always miss out on really cool J. Crew pieces like this one so I decided to go for it...I rarely pay full price for anything so this feels crazy to me. I can always return I suppose...

Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

Incidentals

The following blog is just a forum for people to express their thoughts and opinions about J.Crew. Also, please note that most (if not all) of the images come from J.Crew's website and/ or catalog. Lastly, J.Crew is *not* affiliated with this site. :)